All on my lonesome
So, Im asking for suggestions
Books to read, music to download onto my MP3 player, things like that to occupy me if I can't sleep.
And for the well seasoned travellers, what do I need in my onboard bag to survive?
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Input required
As most of you know, Im going to be doing a long haul flight soon. 16 hours. It splits into an 11 hour flight, 2 hours in NY, then another 3 and a half hour flight.
All on my lonesome
So, Im asking for suggestions
Books to read, music to download onto my MP3 player, things like that to occupy me if I can't sleep.
And for the well seasoned travellers, what do I need in my onboard bag to survive?
All on my lonesome
So, Im asking for suggestions
Books to read, music to download onto my MP3 player, things like that to occupy me if I can't sleep.
And for the well seasoned travellers, what do I need in my onboard bag to survive?
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12 comments:
Have you thought about downloading books on tape (in mp3 format)? Some libraries will allow you to download mp3 formatted books on tape for three weeks (the length of a standard US checkout). So there's an idea.
Your neck is going to kill you, because you can't sleep in any decent position in coach. As dorky as they seem, those bean shaped neck pillows help. Also, my friend worked for the airlines, you DO NOT want to use their blankets, a cheap small fleece blanket helps loads, and packs up very small. If you do want to sleep or at least get the various and sundry lights and distractions out of your line of sight, a small sleeping mask can help.
I'll think about books. I've done a ton of west coast to Europe flights, and it doesn't have to be brutal.
Oh, and I'd steal someone's personal DVD player or laptop and some DVDs, if you want to watch something vaguely entertaining. The films they choose for those flights can be utter crap.
Great tips, thanks!
I can't help wonder what they do to the blankets...
Biological remnants. They're rarely laundered. So...spittle, sick, and well, you can see where this leads.
yeah, thats kinda where my head was going..
Eww
what sort of music are you into? i'll have a rummage through the albums and let you know what i've got
same for books, what you into?
I'm really taking this to heart (I get terribly obsessive, and I love a project). It says on your profile that you like chick lit, no doubt that means Katie Fforde, Janet Evanovich, Sophie Kinsella, Sarah Strohmeyer. I love a bit of everything, lately I've really enjoyed A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon, it's delving into the headspace of an English family all sort of falling apart and not communicating effectively, it is very funny and dry. He wrote The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time which was quite popular a few years ago, the novel was told from the perspective of a 15 year old autistic boy. It was quite good, but it all really depends on the book you are in the mood for, which I know for me can change daily or dependent on mood/situation.
Believe me, the flight doesn't take nearly as long as it seems. Time has a way of passing slowly in the moment, and then quite quickly upon reflection. It's the line in security and passport control which take forever!
What I read does depend on my mood.
Yes to Sophie Kinsella. I'll have to look at those others. Ive just packed up a load of well read books to go to the charity shop and most seem to be Sheila O'Flanagan, Susan Lewis and Chris Manby. I go through phases. At the moment Im hankering for the classics. I also like Cecelia Ahearne and I'll have a copy of Jodie Picoults new one for definite
My trouble is I speed read, always have and a book can take me just a couple of hours to finish.
The Mark Haddon ones look interesting
I have immigration in NY - I have had several stories from friends that they are not nice people..
Pete, musically its hard to say what I'm "into"
I like a bit of everything - except country...
Bands as examples are Depeche Mode, Coldplay, Within temptation, She Wants Revenge, Evanescence, The Smiths, The Cure, Snow Patrol, Keane, Prince, MCR. Oh and Ricky Martin and Shakira when Im feeling drunk and silly.
As you can see, varied..
You can probably pick up the Evanovich novels for fairly cheap at a used book store. She has a series of madcap mystery novels (there are 12 now, denoted by the number in the title). I've only read those, and they can be laugh out loud funny. If you like light and mystery Elmore Leonard (of Get Shorty fame) is a good entertaining read, as is Carl Hiaasen (sp?), now sadly for him his book Striptease was made into a movie starring Demi Moore. Not good. At all. The book was incredibly silly yet engaging.
You should listen to Oingo Boingo. The dark delights of Danny Elfman cannot be denied. Love him.
You could also have people burn you mixed cds that you can put on your mp3 player rather than download it yourself. Have everyone you know make one, and then you have your International radio--if you hate it, so be it, but it'll be a lot of fun.
Oingo Boingo...
Didn't you have that on your profile for a while?
It was...weird
Well, if you speed-read, then take more than one book with you ;-) I managed to just about finish "The DaVinci Code" on my flight from LA to the UK last year. The flight was over in the blink of an eye.
Amanda's right about the neck pillows, they are a godsend. But they take up lots of space, so do what I did-- get an inflatable one.
I also packed eyeshades and earplugs to help me sleep. I slept a LOT during my flight back to LA from Munich, and again, I was home before I knew it.
However, knowing British airports, I would caution against borrowing a laptop or DVD player if you're only going to use it for the flight. Remember-- you're technically only allowed ONE piece of carry-on luggage and British airports won't let you go through security with more than one. Trust me, I found that out the hard way in November. Remind me to regale you with the tale of how I was able to board my flight out of Manchester with both my backpack AND my laptop carrying case...
I just read your last line, in terms of what to bring in your carry-on bag.
Lotion!!!
It gets DRY in those cabins.
Wet wipes if you're like me and like to freshen up every so often.
And a toothbrush and toothpaste, I typically brush my teeth about once or twice during a long-haul flight.
My only other essentials are things to help me sleep (eyeshades, earplugs, neck pillow) and something to read.
My other staple used to be a bottle of water, but ever since they imposed those no-liquid rules, the flight attendants have been pretty good at keeping the passengers hydrated with plenty of drinks, so it's no longer as essential as it used to be.
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